The Colonel's 2013 After Action Report

CY13 began with a scheduled deployment and me not properly training for my first Ultra marathon, The Icy 8 Hour Race. I finished about 32 miles in 6:38 and called it quits while I was still in good spirits and physically tired, but otherwise fine.

The second highlight of the year was a few weeks later when I got to Speet with Speet. I was in MI for work and couldn’t resist the opportunity.

The third highlight of the running year was Shamrock. I didn’t run any of the three races, but did get to spectate and cheer for the Loopsters running the half and the full. Although the quality of my cheering can be questioned, my enthusiasm cannot. I actually broke a cowbell from clanging it so much.

Less than a week after Shamrock, I was on a plane to Kuwait. While on my deployment, I was consistent in my running.

- Logged 782 miles (all outside)

- Raced 4 x 5Ks, an 8K, a 10K, a 10 miler, and 3x pikermis

- Completed an AF PT test

- Completed the Run Every Day in May Challenge and made some trinkets for the finishers

- Ran my hottest run @ 109*F, exactly 100* warmer than my coldest run of the year

But the best part of the deployment, Loop-wise, was not that I ran a lot of miles and wrote a few bloops, it was the Loop Love which was shown me. I received a dozen care packages from Loopsters! That’s one every two weeks! I also got to correspond electronically with several “new to me” Loopsters (as well as a very many that I had already met), and am especially thankful to them for how they helped me through the deployment. And then there was my Flat Stanley sign that Peg marshaled and so many of you took to races. Seeing pictures of Loopsters with that piece of cardboard filled my heart with joy.

Even DW realized how special you Loopsters are and ordered me this licence plate without me even asking .

While deployed, the desert heat got the better of me and I registered for a few races…

When I got back, I wasted little time in getting my Loopster fix. My first weekend back, DW and I booked a bed and breakfast remarkably (and coincidentally?) close to the WV Trilogy. So we stopped by for a little visit. And just because they are so darn cute, I ran a few miles with California Running and Mild Sauce. Oh, and in case there was ever any doubt, as high as they are on the pretty runner gal scale, they are even higher on the BA Runner scale…bent the needle, actually.

The next weekend, I threw in a trail half with my son, because, well he’s my son. Best race of the year!

Then I ran MCM. They say you don’t PR at Marine Corps, but I did. It was also my first sub-4. There were pleanty of Loopsters running and we had some awesome cheering form the Blevins clan, running_eng, and Hot Pink Sneakers.

The next week I ran Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in a grass skirt and was only a minute and a half slower than MCM. I attribute that to the Loop magic of the RunPartiers. It was also a great weekend in that I got to meet several extra special Loopsters; GingersnapMKE, Pearl Girl, and runDeannarun. And got to also hang out with my fav Hoosier Jill (again), Speet, aschmid, darkside, and a few others. But the real reason I was there was I got to see my DD (who is a college student in IN) for the first time since early March.

The next weekend was Marshall. I can’t say enough about Marshall. It was my first Loopfest (last year) and the WV Loopsters are OSOM, so it’s an extra special race for me. I also got to meet so many new friends and catch up with others. It was especially good to see TreeGirl come from somewhere north of Canada and have a little Loop fun. And Moose and the Countess go without saying. Although I wasn’t in a grass skirt, I still managed a sub-4 and was actually about a minute faster than Indy.

Then there was Rehoboth **sigh**. So many Loopsters in such close proximity. And BQs and awards and PRs and firsts. The RRs are still near the top of the Loop. You should go (re)read them. I managed a 4:07:45.

I only tracked my mileage over the deployment, but am pretty confident that I topped 1,200 miles for the year. Regardless of the miles ran, races raced, or times achieved, I remained uninjured and got to meet so many new Loopsters and reconnect with others that I will always consider 2013 my most successful running year thus far.

Not that you needed to, but you sure did earn that license plate! I'd vote for you if there was a Loopster of the year contest, no doubt. Glad I got to meet you at Rehoboth and look forward to seeing you again in the future.

That is one great looking year. So glad I finally met you and now I can look forward to our road trip to Shamrock! If anyone can top 2013, it will be you. Great year of racing and nice pics to go along with it.

Wow. There are 2 messages that I'm taking away from this post and they are loud and clear....first, you had an unbelievable year and second, I have got to meet some Loopsters in person as the group love is insane! Here's to another year as good if not better than the last!

I will forever be impressed with all the running you did overseas in that heat!. And the Col Cupcake sign thingy was one of the coolest things the Loop has done yet. I am so glad my name is on the back of it! And better yet, I'm glad I got to meet you this year and hang out twice! I think you are rad. #totesmagotes

So glad you came back so that I could bother to get to know you!!! ;-) You're pretty much the BA of all BAs. Cheers to many more Loopfests, run parties, and cuddle couches in 2014!!!

I'm not all that BA and I still act like a middle school boy at his first dance around all of you awesome Loopsters…or have you forgotten Indy? Can't wait for the next time our paths cross…Gingersnaps are the most underrated cookies, evah!

Great year for you! I hate that I keep missing all the Shamrock fun (I've made it to 3 previous ones) and will continue to miss them for a while since moving to CO from NC. I can relate to running while deployed. I went to Afghanistan three times and running was what kept me sane over there. I actually did my first 50K there around the base at Bagram You are definitely now on my list of Loopsters to meet and I hope we can make that happen sometime next year! Keep up the good work COL!

Great year for you! I hate that I keep missing all the Shamrock fun (I've made it to 3 previous ones) and will continue to miss them for a while since moving to CO from NC. I can relate to running while deployed. I went to Afghanistan three times and running was what kept me sane over there. I actually did my first 50K there around the base at Bagram You are definitely now on my list of Loopsters to meet and I hope we can make that happen sometime next year! Keep up the good work COL!

3x tours in AFG and a 50K while there?!?!?! You, my dear, are amazing! Thanks for your service.

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